Building block



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Jan. 9, Y I 923.

MAR. 22. 1921 FILED ATTORNEY.

Patented Jan. ll, i923.

1 a a an all Jain;

a a m rants JOHN A, MALCOLM, OF CAPE TOVIN, SOUTH AFRICA.

BUILDING BLOCK.

Application filed March'22, 1821. Serial No. 454-,31.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN ALEXANDER 1 MALCOLM, a subject of the King of Great .Brit-ain, residing. in Cape Town, Unlon of South Africa, have invented certain new and useful Building Blocks, of which the following is a specification., v

This invention relates to hollow. building blocks and it has for its object to provide an improved article of this nature so constructed that the several blocks will have interlocking engagementwith each other i when brought together to 'torrn awall and wherein the resultant wall will be damp-' proof. p,

Among the objects of the invention is to provide a building block made of two parts separated by a vertical joint which extends throughout the length of the block whereby passage of moisture transversely through a wall built from said blocks is eitectually guarded against. j

A further object of the invention is to provide a block of the character indicated comprising the two sections separated by a I vertical joint filled with water-proofing material but wherein said "-compleinental sections are united in such manner as to positively prevent lateral separation of the two parts of the block.

In securing the objects above outlined 1 construct a block of concrete, cement, 'terra cotta or other suitable material consisting of two portions separated by a vertical joint which extends throughout the length of the block and which oint is filled with bitumen,

pitch, tar or other suitable water-proofing substance, the abuttingiaces of the two sec tions being formed, along irregular lines constituting interlocking projections which resist relative lateral separation of the two parts of the block. Additionally, the blocks are provided. with i11terlocking projections and recesses upon their upper faces and. upon their ends as hereinafter described.

The two portions may be made or. cast separately or in one piece in a single operation, the damp-proof seam being introduced in any SlllilflblG'lhHHllGP.

If cast separatelygthe two portions may be secured bypressure in a damp state, the damp-proof seam assisting to hold the portions together, or the portions maybe ce-. mentedtogether in any suitable manner as long as the damp-proof seam is retained intact.

cuts the block into, two distinct l/letal reinforcements may be introduced Figure5 "s a plan view looking in the direction o'f-thearrow 5, Figure 2. M

Figure 6 is a perspective view fthe blool. y 1

' As shown, the block consists of two portions 6, 7, having. converging interlocking projectionsS formed .thereon. These projections are so shaped as to form-a bulbous converging joint, ascan clearly be seen at A in Figures 4, 5 and 6. A damp-proot layer orseam 9'is introduced between the projections and is carried to the extreme edges of the rebates on four sides of the block The projections form air passages 10, 11, within the block so that a hollow block is formed. At the ends of the block the seams 9 are splayed at 9 to fit adjacent blocks.

It will be seen that the two portions of v the block are cit-set in two directions at right angles to one another so that at the top. of the external face 12, a rebate 13 is formed against the weather, the interlocking projections on one portion projecting beyond those on the other portion on the top .face of the block and forming a recess, and

beingbelow said projections on the opposite face of the block. This is clearly seen at E and F, Figures 1 and 2. Similar rebates are formed at the lower end of the face 12 and at the ends of the block at 14, 15. The damp-proof seain 9, is carried up to the extremities of the projections on both faces of the block.

. This method of offsetting thetaces enables a series of blocks to interlock when placed side by side or superposed, preventing movement or shitting. Although there is a complete seam between the two portions of the block as before described, which pieces, the block maybe castv in onepieoe in one operation and, by reason of the converging gg 1AM bulbous joint, it is impossible for the two pieces which form the block to come apart. By thismeans the adhesion of the two pieces forming theblock is not dependent upon the bitumen or pitch or any other binding substance I By reason of the various rebates, the engaging of all parts is assured. The placing "of the diiferent blocks requires little skill as they do not fit unless correctly laid. Owing to the special waterproofing and the strength of the blocks, buildings maybe commenced from the concrete footings directeven if. these latter be below the ground; By reason of the one piece constrnction of block ease and simplicity of handling, and stability when laid is assured. As will be seen from'the drawings, nor mally a continuous air space will be formed horizontally and vertically through the walls. This ensures coolness in summer and warmth inwinter; and in conjunction, with the complete insulation of the block, the liability ofsweating of inside walls ispre- Vented as an even temperature will be maintained.

It will be understood that the block may be made of any desired shape and that in the following claims the word block is intended to cover slab or other desired shape within the scope of the invention. Having thus described the nature of the said invention and the best means I know of carrying the same into practical effect, I claim f 1. A building block comprising in combination two portions connected by interlocking projections forming a bul bousjoint ,see

with a damp-proof seam between, said interlocking projections forming internal horizontal and vertical air passages in said block.

2. A building block comprising in combination two portions connected by interlocking projections forming a bulbous joint with a damp-pnoo3t seam between, said in terlocking projections forming internal horizontal and'vertica'l air passages in the block, the two portions of the block being off-set i'n two directions at right angles to one another. j

3. A building block comprisingin combination two portions connected by interlocking projections forming a bulbous joint with internal "l'lOTlZOHiBFtl' and Vertical air passages in said block, the two portions of theblock being oiif-set in two directions at right angles to one another, a damp-proof layer being inserted between the interlocking-projections extending);up to the edges of the off-set portions of'the two portions on four sides of the block.

} 4:. A. building block comprisingin combination a portion havingprojectionsthereon, second portion having projections thereon interlocking-with the first named pro ections, a damp-proof seam extending between the nterlocking pro ections and air passages formed between the interlocking projections both vertically and horizontally, the two portions'of the block being relatively off-set in two directions at right angles.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification. I H

J. A. i/rAIJooLM. [ms] 

